SHS showcases films at Siglo Film Festival

| Daniella Calipus

The Senior High School Department brought student filmmaking and creativity to the spotlight as JCAians, alumni, and outsiders gathered for Siglo Film Festival on October 8 and 9.

According to Ms. Cyrel Gemeniano-Tajanlangit, one of the teachers who encouraged students to participate in Siglo, this year’s event drew more viewers from junior high school students, alumni, and outsiders.

“Mas maraming nanood. Hindi lang sa senior high school, may junior high school, outsider, and alumni. Thankful kami roon. Mas natuwa kami sa promotion, hindi lang napo-promote ‘yong film eh, napo-promote din ‘yong school,” she said.

Grade 12 sections Rapha, Rohi, and Jireh presented their original films inspired by Jose Garcia Villa’s Footnote to Youth on October 8. The story explores the realities and consequences of early marriage and the challenge of adulthood.

The following day, October 9, Grade 11 sections Selah, Shiloh, and Shammah presented their short films inspired by Fanny Garcia’s Sandaang Damit. The story portrays the hardship of poverty through a young girl who pretends to own a hundred dresses to avoid being looked down upon by her classmates.

“It’s a good experience. It’s a good thing na may ganitong pangyayari sa school. It encourages film making sa Philippines at nakakatulong sa students, [to] coordinate [their] ideas sa films,” Abcd Erin Mabbagu, JCA alumna, shared her experience.

She also described that the environment was good, the students and teachers were prepared, and the films left an impact on her.

Ms. Tajanlangit stated that they will build on the positive feedback the film festival received this year.

The film festival was first launched last year by Ms. Tajanlangit and Mr. Miguel Perada to showcase Philippine 21st-century literature through film adaptations.

Originally, the film festival was only part of the 21st Century Literature subject. However, teachers noticed the heavy workload students faced across different subjects. To lessen the workload, teachers combined several subjects into one performance task, which led to the creation of Siglo.

Winners will be announced in November.